REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker having a mold body. A temperature sensor is positioned adjacent the mold body of the ice maker. Utilizing measurements from the temperature sensor, a temperature of air within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance and a temperature of the mold body can both be determined, and the use of multiple temperature sensors within the chilled chamber can thereby be eliminated.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances and temperature measurement for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. Maintaining the chilled chamber at a proper temperature facilitates storage of food items therein. In particular, preventing a refrigerator appliance's freezer chamber from rising above the freezing point of water can reduce freezer burn of food items located therein. However, determining or measuring the temperature within the refrigerator appliance's chilled chamber can be difficult.

Further, certain refrigerator appliances include an ice maker for producing ice. The ice maker can be mounted within the refrigerator appliance's chilled chamber and receive water for freezing. In particular, certain ice makers include a mold body that receives water for freezing. Water within the mold body can freeze over time to form ice cubes. Monitoring a temperature of the mold body can assist with determining when water within the mold body has frozen and formed ice cubes. However, determining or measuring the temperature of the ice maker's mold body can be difficult.

To determine or measure the temperature within the refrigerator appliance's chilled chamber and/or the ice maker's mold body, certain refrigerator appliances include various temperature sensors. In particular, such refrigerator appliances generally include a separate temperature sensor configured for measuring each respective temperature. Thus, refrigerator appliances can include a temperature sensor mounted within the refrigerator appliance's chilled chamber for measuring the chilled chamber's temperature and a separate temperature sensor mounted to the ice maker for measuring the ice maker's temperature. However, providing multiple temperature sensors can be problematic and expensive.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for measuring a temperature of air within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance and a mold body of an ice maker of the refrigerator appliance would be useful. In particular, a refrigerator appliance with features for measuring a temperature of air within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance and a mold body of an ice maker of the refrigerator appliance without utilizing multiple temperature sensors would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a refrigerator appliance. The refrigerator appliance includes an ice maker having a mold body. A temperature sensor is positioned adjacent the mold body of the ice maker. Utilizing measurements from the temperature sensor, a temperature of air within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance and a temperature of the mold body can both be determined. The use of multiple temperature sensors within the chilled chamber can thereby be eliminated. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. An ice maker is mounted to the cabinet within the chilled chamber of the cabinet. The ice maker has a mold body for receipt of water for freezing. A temperature sensor is positioned adjacent the mold body of the ice maker. A controller in communication with the temperature sensor. The controller is configured for receiving a first signal and a second signal from the temperature sensor, determining a temperature of the mold body based upon the first signal, and establishing a temperature of air within the chilled chamber of the cabinet based upon the second signal.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a method for measuring temperatures within a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance has an ice maker disposed within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance. The ice maker has a mold body and a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the mold body. The method includes initiating a flow of liquid water into the mold body of the ice maker and setting a condition of the ice maker to an ice making condition. A temperature measurement of the temperature sensor corresponds to a temperature of the mold body in the ice making condition. The method also includes measuring a temperature with the temperature sensor, determining whether the water within the mold body has frozen based at least in part upon the temperature of said step of measuring, and changing the condition of the ice maker to a frozen ice condition if water within the mold body has frozen at said step of determining. The temperature measurement of the temperature sensor corresponds to a temperature of the chilled chamber in the frozen ice condition.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. An ice maker is positioned within the chilled chamber of the cabinet. The ice maker has a mold body for receipt of water for freezing. The refrigerator appliance also includes means for measuring a temperature of the mold body of the ice maker and a temperature of air within the chilled chamber of the cabinet.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with refrigerator doors of the refrigerator appliance shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber of the refrigerator appliance.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of an ice making assembly mounted within the refrigerator doors of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of components of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 provides a plot of a true temperature of air within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 2 over time, a temperature of air within the chilled chamber received from a chilled chamber temperature sensor over time, and a temperature of a mold body of the ice making assembly received from a mold body temperature sensor over time.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for measuring temperatures within a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method for measuring temperatures within a refrigerator appliance according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 provides a perspective refrigerator appliance 100 with refrigerator doors 120 of refrigerator appliance 100 shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber 116 of refrigerator appliance 100. As discussed in greater detail below, refrigerator appliance 100 also includes an ice-making assembly 130 for producing ice.

Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a base cabinet or housing 110 that extends between a top portion 112 and a bottom portion 114 along a vertical direction V. Housing 110 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 110 defines fresh food chamber 116 positioned at or adjacent top portion 112 of housing 110 and a freezer chamber 118 arranged at or adjacent bottom portion 114 of housing 110. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator appliance. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator appliance or a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

Refrigerator doors 120 are rotatably mounted or hinged to an edge of housing 110 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 116. In addition, a freezer door 122 is arranged below refrigerator doors 120 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 118. Freezer door 122 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 118. As discussed above, refrigerator doors 120 and freezer door 122 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1, and refrigerator doors 120 are shown in the open position in FIG. 2.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes an ice-making assembly 130 for producing ice. Ice-making assembly 130 includes a dispenser 132 for dispensing water and/or ice. Dispenser 132 is positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on refrigerator door 120. Dispenser 132 includes a discharging outlet 135 for accessing ice and water. A single paddle 136 is mounted below discharging outlet 135 for operating dispenser 132. A control panel 138 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, control panel 138 includes a water dispensing button (not labeled) and an ice-dispensing button (not labeled) for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice.

Discharging outlet 135 and paddle 136 are an external part of dispenser 132 and are mounted in a dispenser recess 134 defined in an outside surface of refrigerator door 120. Dispenser recess 134 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to access fresh food chamber 116. In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 134 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.

Turning now to FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 116 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include bins 140, drawers 142, and shelves 144 that are mounted within fresh food chamber 116. Bins 140, drawers 142, and shelves 144 are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers 142 can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, and/or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items.

As discussed above, refrigerator appliance 100 includes ice-making assembly 130 mounted to, e.g., within, refrigerator appliance 100 for producing ice. In particular, ice-making assembly 130 is mounted to one of refrigerator doors 120. Ice-making assembly 130 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded view of ice-making assembly 130 mounted within refrigerator door 120. Ice-making assembly 130 includes an ice maker 170. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, ice maker 170 is mounted to refrigerator door 120 within an ice chamber or ice compartment 160 defined by refrigerator door 120. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, ice maker 170 can be mounted at any suitable location within refrigerator appliance 100. For example, ice maker 170 can be mounted to housing 110 within fresh food chamber 116 or freezer chamber 118 (FIG. 2).

Refrigerator doors 120 are positioned adjacent and permit selective access to fresh food chamber 116. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, ambient air within fresh food chamber 116 is not maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to permit formation of ice by ice maker 170. Thus, ice compartment 160 is isolated or insulated from fresh food chamber 116 and includes features for facilitating formation of ice by ice maker 170.

To facilitate formation of ice within ice compartment 160, ice-making assembly 130 includes a chilled air inlet 162 and a chilled air outlet 164. Chilled air inlet and outlet 164 are vertically aligned with respective chilled air conduits or ducts 166 positioned on housing 120. Chilled air ducts 166 are in fluid communication with freezer chamber 118 and can receive chilled air therefrom and direct such chilled air into ice compartment 160. Such chilled air can assist within formation of ice by ice maker 170 and/or storage of ice within ice compartment 160. As an example, chilled air inlet 162 can receive chilled air from freezer chamber 118 via chilled air ducts 166. Because chilled air within freezer chamber 118 can have a sufficiently low temperature to permit formation of ice, chilled air therefrom can assist or permit ice maker 170 to produce ice despite being positioned adjacent fresh food chamber 116. To facilitate the flow of chilled air from freezer chamber 118 to ice maker 170, chilled air outlet 164 can direct air within ice compartment 160 away from ice maker 170, e.g., back to freezer chamber 118 via chilled air ducts 166.

Ice maker 170 includes a mold body 172 for receipt of water for freezing. In particular, mold body 172 can receive liquid water and such liquid can freeze therein and form ice cubes. Ice maker 170 can harvest such ice cubes and direct such ice cubes to an ice bucket (not shown) positioned within ice compartment 160. Ice cubes at the bottom of the ice bucket can enter an ice chute 180 and flow through refrigerator door 120 to dispensing outlet 135 within dispenser recess 134 where such ice cubes can flow into a container or cup, e.g., in the manner discussed above.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a temperature sensor 174. Temperature sensor 174 is positioned adjacent mold body 172 of ice maker 170. In particular, temperature sensor 174 can be mounted to ice maker 170, e.g., at mold body 172 of ice maker 170 or to mold body 172 of ice maker, or temperature sensor 174 can be positioned within or inside mold body 172. Optionally, temperature sensor 174 could be mounted within a wall of other feature of ice maker 170. Temperature sensor 174 is configured for measuring temperatures and may be any suitable device for measuring temperatures. For example, temperature sensor 174 can be a thermistor or a thermocouple. Temperature sensor 174 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 4 provides a schematic view of certain components of refrigerator appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 4, refrigerator appliance 100 includes a sealed refrigeration system 200 for executing a vapor compression cycle for cooling air within refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., within fresh food chamber 116 and freezer chamber 118. Sealed refrigeration system 200 includes a compressor 202, a condenser 204, an expansion device 206, and an evaporator 208 connected in series and charged with a refrigerant. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, refrigeration system 200 may include additional components, e.g., at least one additional evaporator, compressor, expansion device, and/or condenser. As an example, refrigeration system 200 may include two evaporators.

Within refrigeration system 200, gaseous refrigerant flows into compressor 202, which operates to increase the pressure of the refrigerant. This compression of the refrigerant raises its temperature, which is lowered by passing the gaseous refrigerant through condenser 202. Within condenser 202, heat exchange with ambient air takes place so as to cool the refrigerant and cause the refrigerant to condense to a liquid state.

Expansion device (e.g., a valve, capillary tube, or other restriction device) 206 receives liquid refrigerant from condenser 202. From expansion device 206, the liquid refrigerant enters evaporator 208. Upon exiting expansion device 206 and entering evaporator 208, the liquid refrigerant drops in pressure and vaporizes. Due to the pressure drop and phase change of the refrigerant, evaporator 208 is cool relative to fresh food and freezer chambers 116 and 118 of refrigerator appliance 100. As such, cooled air is produced and refrigerates fresh food and freezer chambers 116 and 118 of refrigerator appliance 100. Thus, evaporator 208 is a type of heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over evaporator 208 to refrigerant flowing through evaporator 208.

Refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a valve 210 for regulating a flow of liquid water to ice maker 170, e.g., into mold body 172 of ice maker 170. Valve 210 is selectively adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, valve 210 permits a flow of liquid water to ice maker 170. Conversely, in the closed configuration, valve 210 hinders the flow of liquid water to ice maker 170.

Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes an air handler 212. Air handler 212 is configured for urging a flow of chilled air from freezer chamber 118 into ice compartment 160, e.g., via chilled air ducts 166. Air handler 212 can be positioned within chilled air ducts 166 and be any suitable device for moving air. For example, air handler 212 can be an axial fan or a centrifugal fan.

Refrigerator appliance 100 further includes a controller 190. Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 is regulated by controller 190 that is operatively coupled to control panel 138. In one exemplary embodiment, control panel 138 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In another exemplary embodiment, control panel 138 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, touch pads, and touch screens. Control panel 138 may be in communication with controller 190 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Control panel 138 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100. In response to user manipulation of the control panel 138, controller 190 operates various components of refrigerator appliance 100. For example, controller 190 is operatively coupled or in communication with compressor 202, valve 210, and air handler 212, such that controller 190 can operate such components. Controller 190 is also in communication with temperature sensor 174. Controller 190 may receive signals from temperature sensor 174 that correspond to a temperature of an atmosphere or air within ice compartment 160 and a temperature of mold body 172 as discussed in greater detail below.

Controller 190 includes memory and one or more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance 100. The memory can represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. The processor executes programming instructions stored in the memory. The memory can be a separate component from the processor or can be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 190 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

As discussed above, controller 190 in communication with temperature sensor 174 and can receive signals from temperature sensor 174. In particular, controller 190 is configured for receiving a first signal and a second signal from temperature sensor 174. Controller 190 determines a temperature of mold body 172 based upon the first signal. Conversely, controller 190 establishes a temperature of an atmosphere or air within ice compartment 160 based upon the second signal. Controller 190 can receive the first signal from temperature sensor 174 when ice maker 170 is producing ice, e.g., when mold body 172 is at least partially filled with liquid water. Conversely, controller 190 can receive the second signal from temperature sensor 174 when ice maker 170 is not producing ice, e.g., when mold body 172 does not contain liquid water. Thus, controller 190 can utilize temperature sensor 174 to measure temperatures of both air within ice compartment 160 and mold body 172.

FIG. 5 provides a plot of a true temperature of air within ice compartment 160 over time, a temperature measurement of air within ice compartment 160 received from a second temperature sensor positioned within ice compartment 160, and a temperature measurement of air within ice compartment 160 received from temperature sensor 174 mounted to mold body 172 over time. As may be seen in FIG. 5, temperature sensor 174 can accurately and precisely measure the temperature of air within ice compartment 160 despite being mounted to mold body 172. Thus, temperature sensor 174 can be used to measure the temperature of air within ice compartment 160 and the temperature of mold body 172. By utilizing temperature sensor 174 for both measurements, refrigerator appliance 100 can avoid utilizing a separate temperature sensor for each measurement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 for measuring temperatures within a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. In particular, method 600 can be utilized to measure a temperature of air within a chilled chamber, e.g., fresh food or freezer chamber 116 and 118 (FIG. 1) or ice compartment 160 (FIG. 3), and a temperature of a mold body, e.g., mold body 172 (FIG. 3). Controller 190 of refrigerator appliance 100 can be programmed to implement method 600. Method 600 can facilitate measuring multiple temperatures with a single temperature sensor as discussed in greater detail below.

At step 610, controller 190 receives a first signal from temperature sensor 174. Controller 190 can receive the first signal after controller 190 actuates valve 210 to fill mold body 172 with liquid water. At step 620, controller 190 determines a temperature of mold body 172 based upon the first signal. By measuring or determining the temperature of mold body 172, controller 190 can monitor ice formation within mold body 172. In particular, as the temperature of mold body 172 drops, liquid water within mold body 172 can freeze. In particular, when the temperature of mold body 172 drops below a certain temperature, e.g., below the freezing point of water, it can be inferred that all liquid water within mold body 172 has frozen and ice cubes are fully formed therein and ready for harvesting.

At step 630, controller 190 receives a second signal from temperature sensor 174. Controller 190 can receive the second signal when mold body 172 does not contain liquid water. At step 640, controller 190 establishes a temperature of air within ice compartment 160 based upon the second signal. By measuring or establishing the temperature of air within ice compartment 160, controller 190 can monitor storage conditions of ice within ice compartment 160. Thus, if the temperature of air within ice compartment 160 is too high at step 640, controller 190 can activate refrigeration system 200 and/or air handler 212 to decrease the temperature of air within ice compartment 160 to a more suitable temperature.

Method 600 can permit controller 190 to measure the temperatures of mold body 172 and air within ice compartment 160 with temperature sensor 174. Thus, method 600 can permit controller 190 to measure multiple temperatures with a single temperature sensor. In such a manner, method 600 can assist within reducing the number of temperature sensors within refrigerator appliance 100.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the first and second signals received by controller 190 from temperature sensor 174 at steps 610 and 630, respectively, can be discrete or separate signals. Conversely, the first and second signals can also be components of a single continuous signal. Thus, first and second signals need not be separate distinct signals.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 700 for measuring temperatures within a refrigerator appliance according to an additional exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. In particular, method 700 can be utilized to measure a temperature of a chilled chamber or air within the chilled chamber, e.g., fresh food or freezer chamber 116 and 118 (FIG. 1) or ice compartment 160 (FIG. 3), and a temperature of a mold body, e.g., mold body 172 (FIG. 3). Controller 190 of refrigerator appliance 100 can be programmed to implement method 700. Method 700 can facilitate measuring multiple temperatures with a single temperature sensor as discussed in greater detail below.

At step 710, controller 190 initiates a flow of liquid water into mold body 172. As an example, controller 190 can actuate valve 210 to direct the flow of liquid water into mold body 172. When mold body 172 is full, controller 190 can also actuate valve 210 to terminate the flow of liquid water into mold body 172.

At step 720, a condition of ice maker 170 is set to an ice making condition, e.g., by controller 190. In the ice making condition, mold body 172 can contain liquid water, and controller 190 can operate refrigeration system 200 to freeze such liquid water. In addition, temperature measurements of temperature sensor 174 correspond to a temperature of mold body 172 in the ice making condition. Thus, temperature measurements received by controller 190 from temperature sensor 174 in the ice making condition can be utilized to determine the temperature of mold body 172.

At step 730, controller 190 measures a temperature with temperature sensor 174. Because ice maker 170 is set to the ice making condition, controller 190 can utilize the temperature obtained at step 730 to determine the temperature of mold body 172. By measuring or determining the temperature of mold body 172, controller 190 can monitor ice formation within mold body 172 as discussed in greater detail below.

At step 740, controller 190 determines whether water within mold body 172 has frozen based upon the temperature obtained at step 730. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, liquid water within mold body 172 remains at a freezing point of such liquid water until such liquid water freezes and forms ice cubes. Further, mold body 172 has about the same temperature as liquid water contained within mold body 172. However, when water within mold body 172 freezes and forms ice cubes, a temperature of mold body 172 and ice cubes contained therein can drop below the freezing point of such water and, e.g., match the ambient temperature within the chilled chamber containing ice maker 170.

Accordingly, when the temperature obtained at step 730 drops below a certain temperature or threshold, e.g., below the freezing point of water, it can be inferred that all liquid water within mold body 172 has frozen and ice cubes are fully formed therein and ready for harvesting. Conversely, when the temperature obtained at step 730 remains above the certain temperature or threshold, e.g., above the freezing point of water, it can be inferred that liquid water remains within mold body 172 and that ice cubes are not fully formed therein. In such a manner, measuring the temperature with temperature sensor 174 at step 730 can permit controller 190 to determine whether water within mold body 172 has frozen and formed ice.

At step 750, the condition of ice maker 170 is changed to a frozen ice condition if water within mold body 172 is frozen at step 740, e.g., by controller 190. In the frozen ice condition, temperature measurements of temperature sensor 174 correspond to a temperature of the chilled chamber or air within the chilled chamber, e.g., fresh food or freezer chamber 116 and 118 (FIG. 1) or ice compartment 160 (FIG. 3). Thus, temperature measurements received by controller 190 from temperature sensor 174 in the frozen ice condition can be utilized to determine the temperature of the chilled chamber.

Method 700 can permit controller 190 to measure the temperatures of mold body 172 and ice compartment 160 with temperature sensor 174. Thus, method 700 can permit controller 190 to measure multiple temperatures with a single temperature sensor. In such a manner, method 700 can assist within reducing the number of temperature sensors within refrigerator appliance 100.

Method 700 can also include keeping the condition of ice maker 170 in the ice making condition if water within mold body 172 has not frozen at step 740. In particular, controller 190 can maintain the condition of ice maker 170 in the ice making condition until water within mold body 172 has frozen. Thus, controller 190 can continue to monitor the temperature of mold body 172 until water within mold body 172 has frozen, e.g., when the temperature measurement from temperature sensor 174 drops below the freezing point of such water.

Method 700 can also include harvesting ice from ice maker 170 if water within mold body 172 has frozen at step 740. In particular, when the temperature measurement from temperature sensor 174 drops below the freezing point of water within mold body 172, controller 190 can activate ice maker 170 to harvest ice from mold body 172.

In addition, controller 190 can also be configured for gauging a temperature with temperature sensor 174 after step 750 in method 700. As discussed above, temperature measurements received by controller 190 from temperature sensor 174 in the frozen ice condition can be utilized to determine the temperature of the chilled chamber. Controller 190 can gauge the temperature with temperature sensor 174 in the frozen ice condition, e.g., in order to maintain the chilled chamber at a suitable temperature. In particular, controller 190 can activate refrigeration system 100 based upon the temperature gauged after step 750. For example, if the temperature is too high, controller 190 can activate refrigeration system 100 to cool the chilled chamber.

It should be understood that refrigerator appliance 100 can include multiple ice makers in alternative exemplary embodiments. As an example, refrigerator appliance 100 can include ice maker 170 positioned within ice compartment 160 and at least one additional ice maker mounted elsewhere within refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., within fresh food chamber 116 and/or freezer chamber 118. In such exemplary embodiments, method 600 (FIG. 6) and/or method 700 (FIG. 7) can be used to assist operation of one of the ice makers, two of the ice makers, or all of the ice makers within refrigerator appliance 100.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage;

an ice maker mounted to said cabinet within the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said ice maker having a mold body for receipt of water for freezing;

a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the mold body of said ice maker; and

a controller in communication with said temperature sensor, said controller configured for: receiving a first signal and a second signal from said temperature sensor; determining a temperature of said mold body based upon the first signal; and establishing a temperature of air within the chilled chamber of said cabinet based upon the second signal.

2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving the first signal from said temperature sensor when said ice maker is producing ice.

3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein said step of receiving comprises receiving the second signal from said temperature sensor when said ice maker is not producing ice.

4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor comprises a thermistor or thermocouple.

5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor is mounted to said ice maker at the mold body of said ice maker.

6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 5, wherein said temperature sensor is mounted to the mold body of said ice maker.

7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned within the mold body of said ice maker.

8. A method for measuring temperatures within a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance having an ice maker disposed within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance, the ice maker having a mold body and a temperature sensor positioned adjacent the mold body, the method comprising:

initiating a flow of liquid water into the mold body of the ice maker;

setting a condition of the ice maker to an ice making condition, a temperature measurement of the temperature sensor corresponding to a temperature of the mold body in the ice making condition;

measuring a temperature with the temperature sensor;

determining whether the water within the mold body has frozen based at least in part upon the temperature of said step of measuring; and

changing the condition of the ice maker to a frozen ice condition if water within the mold body has frozen at said step of determining, the temperature measurement of the temperature sensor corresponding to a temperature of the chilled chamber in the frozen ice condition.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising keeping the condition of the ice maker in the ice making condition if water within the mold body has not frozen at said step of determining.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising maintaining the condition of the ice maker in the ice making condition until water within the mold body has frozen.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising harvesting ice from the ice maker if water within the mold body has frozen at said step of determining.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising gauging a temperature with the temperature sensor after said step of changing.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating a refrigeration system of the refrigerator appliance based at least in part upon the temperature of said step of gauging.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor or thermocouple.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature sensor is mounted to the mold body.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned within the mold body.

17. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:

a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber;

an ice maker positioned within the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said ice maker having a mold body for receipt of water for freezing; and

means for measuring a temperature of the mold body of said ice maker and a temperature of air within the chilled chamber of said cabinet.

18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 17, wherein said cabinet includes a rotatable door for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said ice maker mounted to the door of said cabinet.

19. The refrigerator appliance of claim 18, wherein said door defines the chilled chamber.

20. The refrigerator appliance of claim 17, wherein the chilled chamber of said cabinet comprises a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber, said ice maker positioned within the freezer chamber, said means for measuring configured for measuring the temperature of the mold body of said ice maker and a temperature of air within the freezer chamber.